The New Mexico Legislature’s Democratic leaders are “laser focused” on minimizing the impacts of federal cuts on families, House Speaker Javier Martínez said at Wednesday morning news conference in the Roundhouse.
“While dysfunction in Washington, D.C., grinds the federal government to a complete halt,” Martínez said just ahead of the start of a special legislative session — referring to the federal government shutdown that began Wednesday — “we are here today to step up for our friends and our neighbors all across the state.”
The cuts will “hit New Mexican families the hardest and the fastest,” he added.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called the special session at noon Wednesday in large part to soften the effects of federal safety net funding cuts on vulnerable New Mexicans.
Democratic leaders said their priorities include protecting rural health care, filling in for expiring tax credits on the health insurance marketplace for self-employed workers and small businesses, and directing resources to the agency that oversees the food aid program and Medicaid — all issues they say are key to address before the regular session starts in January.
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, a Santa Fe Democrat, said the issues are urgent.
“This special session is critical. I was hesitant, as I always am, with special sessions. Do we really need to be here? Some of our Republican colleagues have said, ‘Oh, we can wait,’ ” he said. “What’s coming at the state of New Mexico is frightening.”
The federal multitrillion-dollar budget reconciliation bill President Donald Trump signed into law in July is expected to cut taxes and slash discretionary spending through 2034, in large part through cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“Make no bones about it: New Mexico is ready for this fight,” Martínez said. “That’s because of years of smart budgeting and thoughtful policymaking, and because we’ve got the right leadership for the moment.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said rural hospital closures could result from federal cuts and “leave entire communities without access to emergency care, maternal health services and chronic disease management.”
One proposal under consideration would expand a program for rural health care providers to receive state grants.
House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski of Santa Fe highlighted the expiring federal tax credits for some marketplace health insurance plans set to expire at the end of the year and a proposal for the state to help fill the gap, as well as direct resources for the agency that oversees administration of Medicaid and SNAP.
“We’re keeping health care in reach for the middle class,” she said. “We want New Mexicans to know, regardless of what happens in Washington, D.C., your state lawmakers are looking out for you.”
The Democrats said they’re hopeful the session will move quickly with bipartisan support.
Wirth said he’s hoping to be done “by tomorrow,” crediting the work lawmakers did in advance of the session with the governor.
“We have to be here, and so you’re going to see an efficient session run in both chambers,” he said. “And again, if we’re still here on Saturday, that’ll be a problem.”
New Mexico could be particularly hard hit by federal cuts: Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for low-income Americans, provides health coverage for 38% of New Mexico’s population — the highest per capita enrollment rate in the country. There were over 807,000 New Mexicans enrolled in Medicaid as of last month. Over 88,000 could permanently lose coverage under the federal Medicaid cuts, the state Health Care Authority has estimated. Over 459,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in SNAP as of August, or one in five of the population — also the highest per capita in the country.
One bill deals with vaccine guidance. The measure would require rules for the immunization of kids attending school or child care to be based on state recommendations, allow the state to set vaccine standards for adults and ensure vaccines purchased through a state program are recommended by the state health agency.
Another measure would amend a law related to mental competency of defendants in criminal cases.
Outside the Roundhouse, members of the New Mexico Dream Team, an immigrant youth organization, protested U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with a makeshift cage.
Members of the group read harrowing testimonials of detainees while kneeling or standing inside the makeshift cage.
“As people are getting picked up on the streets by ICE, they’re being thrown into cages, they’re being separated from their families,” said Andres Esquivel, a spokesperson for the group, referring to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. “This is something that’s happening all around the country.”
The governor had initially proposed what her office called a robust legislative package for the special session that included prohibiting immigration detention facilities. The governor narrowed the agenda after talks with legislative leaders but plans to ask lawmakers to take up a proposed ban on immigration detention facilities during the regular 30-day session next year.
Staff reporter Daniel J. Chacón contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.